Two of McKinney's family members discovered his body on Nov. 10, 2012 after not being able to get in touch with him. Family members of McKinney, a retiree, went to his home on 49th Court North sometime after 10 a.m. that morning to check on him.

His nephew, Douglass Davis, and brother, Donald McKinney, told AL.com in 2012 that it was unusual for McKinney to not answer his phone. "He (Donald McKinney) opened the door. He stepped in and I stepped in and we looked around the corner and there he was lying on the floor," Davis said.

According to an arrest warrant made public Thursday, Mickens used his hands to strangle McKinney. He also stole two television, a .38-caliber revolver and a home surround sound system.

Police said a new witness recently came forward in the case. That witness gave detectives the information they needed to link Mickens to the case. Homicide officials declined to elaborate further.

Court records show Mickens is already awaiting trial for a 2013 burglary arrest. He is being held without bond in the Jefferson County Jail.